Storming the Bastille

Hello from Austin TX. I have a hangover and a handlebar moustache, which is a winning combination if ever there was one. The US shows are fun. But I'm here to discuss the UK...

As you may already know, Long Live The Queen is coming out as a download single on October 20th, the day before the start of the UK tour. It's going to have a few unreleased B-sides packaged with it as well. A lovely package, I'm sure you'll agree. Now you may also know that proceeds from the single are going to Breast Cancer Campaign. You might also be aware of the fact that recently I've been getting support from people like Jo Whiley and Sara Cox at Radio 1, and MTV2.

All of this together leads us here at FTHQ to an idea. We're basically in the middle of sneaking into the mainstream music world, which is hilarious, and most of it is thanks to you guys doing what you do best: getting organized and pestering people. So it occurred to us that it would be genius to break the Top 40 with this single.

I know that a download-only single of a song on the album already isn't necessarily something everyone's going to rush out and get. But at 79p, it's not a massive ask. If we can get over 4000 people to download the song in the week of release, then we'll have done it. And the best part is, we'll be raising some serious cash for charity in the process. We're going to sort out a pre-order thing for y'all as well. The important thing is that the downloads are all in that week.

So, are you with me?

People Power / USSA!

Morning all. I write from Sherman Oaks, California, in the middle of the night. Shows with Fake Problems are going well, it's awesome to see the boys again, their new stuff is excellent. Cobra Skulls also rock, but more to the point Look Mexico are my new favourite band, check em out! Anyways, to business.

The new video for Long Live The Queen (below) is popular with the powers that be. It's up for voting in the MTV2 Hot New Ones chart this week. We're up against big hitters, but recently people power (i.e. you guys voting) has got me on Zane Lowe and Jo Whiley, so, if you can take the time to go vote, that would be appreciated, and if you want to spread the word, that'd be better. Thanks all.

Secondly, my USA shows are now finalized as a run, and just for those not 100% paying attention, here they are again:

• 22nd September @ Angel's Roadside, Apple Valley, CA, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 23rd September @ The Beauty Bar, Las Vegas, NV, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
  
• 25th September @ Modified, Phoenix, AZ, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 26th September @ Main Street Project, Anthony, NM, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 27th September @ The Warhol, San Antonio, TX, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 28th September @ Red 7, Austin, TX, USA (with Fake Problems, FREE show)
  
• 1st October @ The Mink, Houston, TX, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 3rd October @ Sluggo's, Pensacola, FL, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
  
• 4th October @ Cave 9, Birmingham, AL, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 7th October @ Two Cents Plain, St Louis, MO, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 8th October @ Skull Alley, Louisville, KY, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 9th October @ Moira, Indianapolis, IN, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 10th October @ Mac's Bar, Lansing, MI, USA (with Fake Problems)
  
• 11th October @ Asbury Lanes, Asbury, NJ, USA (with Chuck Ragan / Tim Barry)
  
  
• 12th October @ The Space, Hamden, CT, USA (with Chuck Ragan / Tim Barry)
  
• 13th October @ Blender Theater @ Gramercy, New York, USA (with Chuck Ragan / Tim Barry)
  
• 14th October @ Black Cat, Washington DC, USA (with Chuck Ragan / Tim Barry)
  

Hope to see you there!

Long Live The Queen Video

It's finally here, and I must say I'm pleased as punch:

Enjoy.

Lexapalooza

Just a quick note, really, to say thanks to everyone involved with Lexapalooza 2008. Saturday went off as well as we could have hoped. It was a long, tiring, emotional and intoxicating day, and to be honest I'm still recovering from the afterparty, but basically we achieved the three aims: raising money, having an ace time and doing Lex proud. Good work all.

Incidentally, the current count for the cash is an awesome £2200 or so, but there's still time to donate if you want to, through the magic of Paypal. The email address for payments is lexapaloozafestival@gmail.com.

It goes without saying that next year will be bigger and better.

Breast Cancer Campaign

Greetings, earthlings! I write from Maida Vale Studios, where we've just finished recording a session for Zane Lowe. Which leads me neatly to my first point: the session goes out on Tuesday 9th September 7-9pm on BBC Radio 1, and will be on "Listen Again" features for a while thereafter.

Second up, tour stuff: there's yet more American shows being posted up, which is great - check again, I probably am coming to somewhere vaguely near you. Also, for punters in the UK, we've sold nearly half the tickets for the October run, so if you're coming along and haven't bought one yet, I'd get a ticket soon.

Finally, just some words about this weekend and the related causes. As many will know, it's Lexapalooza on Saturday, Lex's festival, which is now sold out. The money raised from the festival (and from the single, Long Live The Queen, out October 20th) will go to Breast Cancer Campaign. They're a great organization, and if you want to get involved more than just buying the single or coming to the show, you should follow that there link. I can personally attest that what they do is very much needed, and awesome.